Sciurus granatensis, Humboldt, 1811

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Sciuridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 648-837 : 750

93.

Red-tailed Squirrel

Sciurus granatensis

French: Ecureuil & queue rousse / German: Rotschwanzhornchen / Spanish: Ardilla de cola roja

Taxonomy. Sciurus granatensis Humboldt, 1811,

“Colombia, Dept. Bolivar, Carta- gena.”

Sciurus granatensis is extremely variable and probably needs thorough assessment ofits subspecific taxonomy; hence, subspecies distribution might be arbitrary and unreasonable. Thirty-two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

S.g.granatensisHumboldt,1811—NWColombia.

S.g.agricolaeHershkovitz,1947—NColombia.

S.gbondae].A.Allen,1899—NColombia.

S.g.candelensisJ.A.Allen,1914—SWColombia.

S.g.carchensisHarris&Hershkovitz,1938—WEcuador.

S.g.chapmanJ.A.Allen,1899—TrinidadandTobagoIs.

S.g.chiriquensisBangs,1902—Panama.

S.g.chrysurosPucheran,1845—CColombia.

S.g.ferminaeCabrera,1917—EEcuador.

S.g.gerrardiGray,1861—NWColombia.

S.g.griseimembraJ.A.Allen,1914—EColombia.

S.g.griseogenaGray,1867—NVenezuela.

S.g.hoffmanniPeters,1863—CostaRica.

S.g.imbaburaeHarris&Hershkovitz,1938—NEcuador.

S.g.llanensisMondolfi&Boher,1984—CVenezuela.

S.gmanavi].A.Allen,1914—WEcuador.

S.g.maracaibensisHershkovitz,1947—NWVenezuela.

S.g.meridensisThomas,1901—NWVenezuela.S.gmorulusBangs,1900—CPanama.

S.g.nesaeusG.M.Allen,1902—MargaritaI(Venezuela).

S.g.norosiensisHershkovitz,1947—NColombia.

S.g.peryyaeHershkovitz,1947—NColombia.

S.g.quindianusJ.A.Allen,1914—SWColombia.

S.g.saltuensisBangs,1898—NColombia.

S.g.soederstroemiStone,1914—NEcuador.

S.g.splendidusGray,1842—NColombia.

S.g.sumacoCabrera,1917—EEcuador.

S.g.tarraeHershkovitz,1947—NColombia.

S.gvaldiviae].A.Allen,1915—NWColombia.

S.g.vanabilis1.GeoffroySaint-Hilaire,1832—NColombia.

S.g.versicolorThomas,1900—NEcuador.

S. g. zuliae Osgood, 1910 — W Venezuela.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 200-285 mm, tail 140-280 mm; weight 212-520 g. The Red-tailed Squirrel has extremely variable pelage, with deep red as dominant color of dorsum. Variants differ widely from grizzled black to charcoal, with tinge of yellow; melanism is common. Black median longitudinal stripe is sometimes present. Faint buff-to-ocher eye ring is sometimes visible. Venter is most often lighter than dorsum, ranging from white to yellow to orange-red. Dorsalside oftail is red to rust, often griz- zled with black and sometimes with black tip. Populations of Red-tailed Squirrels east of the Andes tend to be white-bellied, Venezuelan populations often contain more brownish variants, and coastal Ecuadorian and Colombian have more blackish forms with black-tipped red tails. Subspecies are extremely variable; however, they can be grouped into discrete groups based on major pelage characteristics. Subspecies gra- natensis, agricolae, bondae, saltuensis, splendidus, and variabilis are red forms with white ventral pelage. Subspecies candelensis, chapmani, chiriquensis, chrysuros, griseimembra, hoffmanni, manauvi, maracaibensis, nesaeus, novosiensis, soederstroemi, sumaco, and tarrae are dark olivaceous and brownish forms, often with yellow, orange, or red ventral pelage. Subspecies meridensis, morulus, and zuliae are reddish forms, with black tipped tail. Sub- species gerrardi, perijae, quindianus, and versicolor are reddish forms, with black medial bands on dorsa. Subspecies carchensis, ferminae, imbaburae, and valdiviae are brownish forms, with black-tipped tail. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 42 and FN = 78.

Habitat. Nearly all forest types from sea level to montane, across a continuum of arid- ity, and secondary forests and picnic areas and parks of heavy human use.

Food and Feeding. The Red-tailed Squirrel is generally herbivorous and feeds on seeds, fruits, leaves, flowers, fungi, and plant saps and exudates;it will eat animal ma- terial when encountered. They prefer large tropical tree seeds, which they access by gnawing through thick protective seed coats. The Red-tailed Squirrel is a major dis- perser of seeds in tropical forests. Foods are scatterhoarded on the ground and hidden in branch forks or lianas in the canopy. It can be found foraging in multiple layers of forest canopies throughout the year. It is most often found in mid-canopy and upper canopy when seeds ripen;it is less commonly seen on the ground until after tree seeds drop.

Breeding. The Red-tailed Squirrel constructs leaf nests in the canopy or uses cavities in which young are born. Breeding season is extremely long (November—August). Mat- ing chases occur on the single day of estrus when males pursue females while grunting and snorting in efforts to gain access. Copulations last only ¢.10 seconds. Gestation is c.45 days, and litters of 1-3 young are typical. Three litters may be produced during the breeding season. Young nurse for up to c¢.2 months, and all disperse from their natal areas.

Activity patterns. Red-tailed Squirrels are diurnal and active throughout the year, with early morning period of activity.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Red-tailed Squirrels are solitary, al- though feeding aggregations may occurat seasonal food sources. Female home ranges are c.0-64 ha, relatively exclusive and defended from other females; male home ranges are c.1-5 ha, with considerable overlap. The Red-tailed Squirrel typically remains silent but will produce a series of hoarse chucks when alarmed.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Population trend of the Red-tailed Squirrelis stable. It is widespread and found in diverse habitats suggesting that it is buffered from habitat loss. Local people hunt this large-bodied squirrel for consumption.

Bibliography. Adler, Arboledo &Travi (1997), Carvajal & Adler (2008), Dittel et al. (2015), Heaney & Thorington (1978), Mena-Valenzuela (1998), Nitikman (1985), Thorington et al. (2012).